Maseru, Feb. 07 — The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe has sent a message of condolences to LeFA President Advocate Salemane Phafane KC, following the death of former Likuena Coach, Mr. Moses Maliehe.
LeFA Media Officer, Mr. Mikia Kalati told the Agency that as President of the continental soccer governing body CAF, Dr. Motsepe has conveyed his condolences to President Phafane and the soccer fraternity at large.
“My dear Brother, Phafane, it is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing on of Moses Maliehe, former Lioli FC Player and Coach. He was also the coach of Matlama, National Under-20 and Likuena Head Coach,” the letter from CAF President stated.
“Please pass my personal and CAF’s deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the Lesotho Football Association. May God comfort and console his family, friends, colleagues and the Lesotho Football Association.
“CAF is with you during this sad and painful period.” He has been quoted in the statement to LeFA.
Mr. Maliehe died on February 03 following a long illness.
Born in Klerksdorp, South Africa to Basotho parents from Teyateyaneng in Berea, Mr. Maliehe kick-started his football career playing for Klerksdorp City and ICL Birds, where he got rub shoulders with the likes of Lucas Radebe and the late Phil Masinga of South Africa.
He later moved to Lesotho where he played for Lioli FC, and later joined Matlama before going back to South Africa donning the colours of Vaal Reefs Stars, where he was coached by former Bafana Bafana coach Mr. Shakes Mashaba.
Mr. Maliehe later became the Assistant coach to the current Likuena mentor Mr. Leslie Notsi as the Lesotho national under 20 qualified for the then African Youth Championship in 2013.
At club level, Mr. Maliehe coached former clubs in Lioli and Matlama before taking the big assignment as senior national team Likuena coach.
His Likuena side was the last to come closer to qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, but suffered a heartbreak on the final day of 2019 qualifiers after getting a draw when they needed three points to secure a ticket to the continental showpiece that was held in Egypt.
Mr. Maliehe’s stint as Likuena coach was prematurely ended by an illness on the eve of the 2019 COSAFA Cup and the Lesotho Football Association tasked his assistant coach Mr. Mpitsa Marai to lead the team alongside Mr. James Madidilane as Likuena reached the semi-finals for the third successive year.
